Mining apparatus



April 2l, 1931. M. P. HOLMES MINING AIPARATUS Filed nec. 5, 1927' 2 SheeAts-Shovet 1 N Nw www E@ @Awww Patented Apr. 21, 19.31

narran stares MORRIS r. nora-ins, or ornamenti-fr, new naiersninn, assrenoa 'ro SULLIVAN MA- cHrNERY eoivrrANY, a conromi'rron or MASSACHUSETTS Mir-Tine APPARATUS Application filed December 5, 1927. Serial No. 237,933.

This invention relates to mining apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an'adjustable wheeled support for a. longwall mining machine. An object of this invention is to provide an improved wheeled support for a mining apparatus. Another object of this invention is to provide an improvedadjustable wheeled support for a mining machine whereby the elevation and angle er the machine may be varied. Still another .object is to provide an improved adjustable wheeled support for a mining machine whereby the latter may be roclred or tilted about longitudinal and ltransverse axes. Yet another obj ect is to provide an improved adjustable wheeled support for a mining machine especially. adapted to use with a `conveyor systeinoperating at a longwall face, the wheeled support-being so .constructed as to permit the machine to operate` directly above the face Conveyor with the latter located 'along the traclrway between the supporting wheels. Yet anotherobject iste provide an adjustable wheeled truck for a selfcontained longwall mining machine of the type normally slidable onits bottom on the mine bottom during theA cutting operation, said truck being` so constructed as to enable the machineto be adjusted about a longitudinal axis and to enable the elevation and ang-le of the machine to be varied to suit diderent operating conditions. rlhese and other'objects and advantages .of vthis Yinvention will, however,subsequently more fully appear.

ln the accompanying drawjings there is shown for purposes Off illustrationene embodiment which the invention :may assume in practice.

ln these" drawings, Y

Fig. 1 is a Sideelevational view of :a vselfcontained longwall mining vmachine mounted on the improved adjustable wheeled support, the Vmachine beingshown in its lowered position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown Y in Fig. 1. Y

3 is a rear elevation ofthe apparatus Shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the machine being Shown in operating position directly above the face conveyor. y

- Figa is a detail Sectional view-taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4l.

Fig. `6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Y

Fig. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the machine supported in its elevated position', the machine being` shown tilted as indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the machine operating on a longwall face in a mine.

In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the invention thereis shown an adjustable wheeled Vtruclr Jframe 1 consisting of Vparallel longitudinally extending angle or frame members 2 connected in rigid spaced rel-ation by transverse angle or frame members 3. Rigidly lined to transverse horizontal sh afts 4l journaled in brackets 5 rigidly secured to the angle members 2 are oppositely extending arms 6. These arms vas clearly shown in Fig.' 3 'are bifurcated at 7 at their lower ends and these bifurcated ends carry axles 8 on which truck wheels 9 are journaled.- These arms and truck wheels consti- Vtntethe sole support for the machine. The ,ends 10 of the arms 6 at one Side of the truck extending oppositely from their respective and thereby tilt the machine-4d about :the pivots-lf3 .until ithe fc utter abar :assumes aA pn si'- tion in asubstantially horizontal plane. 'The operator Aathen' connects the feed chain ,50' to 4the cutter bar ina well known manner .and upon rotation of the feed.;- sprocket 49 athis feed chain is drawn rin and the outterbar swung about its pivot 1from thev position shown in Fig. v2 :to the position shown in Fig. 8, thereby sumping vthe cutter bar `into the coal face. The cutter `bar is vthereafter :rigidly locked in position at a rightan'gle to the machine body. 'The efeedchain'() is then 4disconnected from the cutter bar yand extended vfrom the feed sprocket 149 Yaround 'certai-n :oi the guide sheaves 5:1 forwardly llongitudinally of the .machine :to :a suitable "anchor vor roof jack B; 'disposed adjacent :the coal face between the latter and fthe-trackway. ".Ilhe eed sprocket 49 is then again rotatedby-power 4and the machine fed bodily along the traclrwayrelative tothe feed .chain to seiie'ct a vlongwall ycut in the coal face. .fbfter'th'e'kerf shas been 1out .inthe face the coal ifs then shot down in fa. usual manner and loaded onto the :face conveyor A by loperator then grasps the .operating lhandle oi 'the ratchet .and lpawldevice *31 and .oscillates Vthe same, thereby rotatingthevsle'eve d? 4together with fthe-screw 15 splined thereto.

Rotation of :the screw `15 causes the nuts '14 tofmove axially aiong the screw 'andzin 'opposite directions relative .to each other, thereby effecting swinging of the "wheel carry arms 6 in oppositedir'ections about Ytheir `pivots 114i- -and thereby 'causingi'the vmachine Eto be :raised or 'lowered as desired. It lis therefore :evident that the machineniay -be elevated into any positions fromY the position shownfin Fig. l fto the `position shown -in Fig. i' and vice versa at will. It is evident Vthat the :screw -1'5 `may be lrotated in the opposite direction upon reversal 'of fthe position `oi .the pawl. If it isV desired y'to vary the angle yofthe machine, that is to tilt the machine about a substantially transverse axis, rthe opeiator :swings the flocking member 27 yinto the .dotted V line position -shown .in Fig.. 6, thereby preventing frotation ofthe sleeve i?. The operator then rgrasps` the 4handle :of the ratchet Vand pafwl device 32 and moves -the `saine back and afor'th, thereby effecting rotation of the pressure screw 21=relativeito the :then stationary vsleeve As 'the screw 2l abuts the irear end of the screw'l., Vthe `latter gis slid axially'relative Ito the sleeve 17 there- -by `effectingswinging "of vfthe wheel Icarrying :ammsrelative to eafeh other' l:and fthe :same

direction and as ares'ult causing the machine to move into a 4position opposite to that indicated by .dotted Ylines in Eig. 7. It is obvious if the screw l5 is permitted to move axially in the opposite direction the machine .may be `tilted in the opposite direction into va position similar to that indicated by ydotted lines in .'Fig. ,7. Other uses and advantages o-i the improved adjustable wheeled support will be clearly apparent to ithose skilled in this art.

YVhile I have this application specili- Ically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will v-be understood that Vthe same has been used for `pur-n poses loi" Yillustration .fand *that the invention may be modiied and embodied `.in various other lforms withoutdeparting `from its spirit or the scope of the appended Claims.

Vhat I cla-im :as new and ydesire tofsecure l .by Letters Patent is:

l. In a mining apparatus, abody supporting kerf cutting mechanism, and Ladjustable vsupporting means for said bod-y comprising oppositely extending pivoted iront and mear body.

2. In a .mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting mechanism., :and adjustably supporting means lfor said -body comprising oppositelyextending pivoted iirontand rear wheel carrying arms, means for Vswinging said arms comprising an axially movable screw .having .reversely threaded portions,

reversely threaded nuts engagingthe threaded portions onsaid screw, zlinks connecting said .nuts and arms, and means for movi-ng saidserew axially to-eiiectfsimul'taneous axial movement of said nuts inthe same direction V,to@anseswinging movement otsaid arms in wheels Yconipris'ing a rotatable screw havt ving -reversely threaded `port-ions, reversely threaded Anuts engaging fthe' threaded por- Ltions fon saidv screw, links 'connecting said nuts .and arms, and .means for ,rotating said screw to eiect simultaneous :axial movement of said nuts in opposite directions to cause swinging movement ot said arms towards or away from one another to vary the elevation of said body.

fl. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kei-.t` cutting mechanism, and an adjustable wheeled support for said body comprising oppositely extending pivoted front and rear wheel carrying arms, said arms being pivoted between their ends and carrying wheels at one side of their pivots, means for swinging said arms connected to the latter at the other sides of their' pivots from the wheels comprising an axially movable screw having reversely threaded portions, reversely threaded nuts engaging the threaded portions ot said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in the same direction to cause swinging movement of said arms in the same direction to tilt said body.

5. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting n'iechanism, and adjustable supporting means for said body comprising oppositely extending pivoted iront and rear wheel carrying arms, means for swinging said arms comprising a rotatable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for rotating said screw to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in opposite directions to cause swingin movement ot said arms in opposite directions to elevate said body.

6. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means for said body comprising oppositely extending pivoted 1front and rear wheel carrying arms, means for sa' ging` said arms comprising an axially movable screw, relatively movable nuts threadedly engaging said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially to eiect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in the same direction to cause swinging movement 'of said arms in the same direction to tilt said body.

7. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means for said body comprising oppositely extending pivoted front and rear supporting arms, means for swinging said arms comprising an axially movable screw, relatively movable nuts threadedly engaging said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in the same direction to cause said arms to swing in the same direction to tilt said body, said screw moving means including` a pressure screw arranged coaxially with and engaging said rst mentioned screw.

8. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means for said body comprising oppositely extending pivoted trent and rear supporting arms, means 'for swinging said arms comprising a screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, connections between said nuts and arms, means for rotating said screw to cil'lect eppoi-tite movement et said nuts to eifect movement of said arms in opposite directions to change the elevation of said body without tilting the latter, and means for moving said screw axially to effect simultaneous movement of said nuts in the same direction to effect movement of said arms in the same direction to tilt said body.

9. In a mining apparatus, a body supportingkerf cutting mechanism, and an adjustable wheeled support :tor said body comprising oppositely extending pivoted front and rear wheel carrying arms, and means connected to said arms at the opposite sides of their pivots from the wheels comprising a rotatable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for rotating said screw to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in opposite directions to cause said arms to swing in opposite directions to elevate said body.

l0. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting mechanism, and an adjustable wheeled support for said body comprising pivoted front and rear wheel carrying arms, and means engaging said arms at the opposite sides of their pivots from the wheels for swinging the same comprising an axially movable screw, nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in the same direction to cause swinging movement of said arms in the same direction to tilt said body.

1l. In a mining apparatus, a body supporting kerf cutting mechanism, and an adjustable wheeled support for said body comprising pivoted front and rear wheel carrying arms, and means engaging said arms at the opposite sides of their pivots from the wheels for swinging the same comprising an axially movable screw, nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means arranged coaxially with said screw for moving the same axially to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in the same direction to cause swinging movement of said arms in the same direction to tilt said body.

l2. In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, a frame supporting said machine, means carried by said .mining machine ci the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, a frame supporting said machine, means carried by said frame for adjusting said machine about a longitudinal axis including a pivotal mounting for said machine, and adjustable supporting means for said frame comprising oppositely extending pivoted supporting arms, means for swinging said arms comprising a screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connect-` ing said nuts and arms, and means for rotating said screw to effect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in opposite directions to causeswingiug Vof said arms in opposite direct-ions to vary the elevation of said machine.

14. In av mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during theV cutting operation, a support for said machine, means carried by said support for tilting said machine about a longitudinal axis including a pivotal mounting for said machine, and adjustable supporting means for said supportcomprising oppositely extending pivoted supporting arms, means for swinging said arms comprising an axially movable screw, nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially to eii'ect simultaneous axial movement of said Vnuts in the same direction to cause said arms to swing inthe same direction to tilt said machine. v

l5. ln a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, a support `for said machine, means bet-Ween said support and machine for tilting the latter about a longitudinal axis including a pivotal mounting for saidmachine, and adjustable supporting means for said support comprising oppositely extending pivoted wheel carrying arms, means for swinging said arms comprising a rotatable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts'with said arms at vthe opposite sides` of the pivots of the latter from the truck wheels, and means for ro-V justable supporting means for said machine Vsaid body'.

whereby the elevation of the latter may be varied comprising oppositely extending p ivoted supporting arms, means for swinging said arms comprising a rotatable screw, nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms and respectivelypivotally connected thereto, and means for rotating said screw to eilect simultaneous axial movement of said nuts in opposite directions to move said links angular-ly to cause swinging of said arms in opposite directions tovary the elevation o :t said machine.

Y1 ln a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, and adjustable supporting means for said machine whereby the elevation of the latter may be varied comprising oppositely extending pivoted supporting arms, means for swinging said arms comprising an axially movable screw, nuts threadedly connected to saidv screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially to effect axial movement of said nuts in the same direction to cause said arms to swing in the same direction to tilt said machine.

18. In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, and anV adjustable wheeled support for said machine whereby the elevation and angle of the latter may be varied comprising oppositely extending pivoted wheel carrying supporting arms, means for swinging' said arms comprising a reciprocable and rotatable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected* to saidv screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for rotatingsaid screw and for moving the latter axially, rotation oi sai'd screw effecting bodily movement of said nuts in opposite directions to vary the elevation of said machine and axial movement of said screw causing bodily movement of said nuts inthe same direction to swing said Varms in the same direction to tilt said machine.

19. ln Va mining apparatus, a body sup-v porting kerf cutting mechanism, and adjustable supportingmeans for said body comprising pivoted iront and rear supporting arms, and means forA eecting swinging movement of said arms comprising a screw, nutsthreadedly connected thereto y'and respectively Vconnected to said arms, means for rotating'said screw toelect movement of said nuts in opposite directions to vary the elevation Vof said body vwithout tilting the latter, and means for movingsaid screw axially to effect simultaneous movement of said nuts in the same direction to effect til-ting of 2O.V ln a mining apparatus, a body supporting kert cutting mechanisnnand adjusttheir pivots for etlecting swinging movement et said arms simultaneously in opposite directions to vary the elevation of said body and for swinging said arms simultaneously in the same direction to tilt said bodyT about a transverse axis.

30. In a mining apparatus, a body support-- ing hert cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means forv supporting said body and tor varying the elevation thereof comprising spaced front and Vrear oppositely extending arms pivoted between their ends at opposite sides of said body, and adjusting means mounted on said body for eitecting g swinging movement of said arms simultanef ously in opposite directions to vary the elevation of said body and for swinging said arms simultaneously in the same direction to effect tilting movement of said body about a transverse axis.

32. .In a mining apparatus, a body supporting lrerf cutting mechanism, and vertically adjustable supportingmeans for said body comprising spaced 'front and rear arms pivoted between their ends and having wheels at one side of their pivots, alined rotatable screw means mounted on said body and operatively connected to and extending between said arms at the other side of their pivots, and means 'for rotating said screw means to eilect swinging movement of said arms simultaneously in opposite directions to vary the elevation of said body and for adjusting said screw means axially to eii'ect swinging movement ot said arms simultaneously in the same ldirection to effect tilting movement of said body about a transverse axis.

33. In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation, a trame supporting said machine, means carried by said trame for tiltingsaid machine about its longitudinal axis, and adjustable supporting means on which said iframeV is mounted for bodily elevating said frame to position said machine at diiierent elevations.

34C. In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the longwall type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during the cutting operation and including a pivoted kerf cutter, a fra-me supporting said machine, a pivotal mounting 4on said frame for said machine, Vmeans carried by said frame `for tilting said machine on its pivotal mounting about its llongitudinal axis, means connected to said frame for bodily elevating said machine, and means for swinging said hert cutter about its pivot relative to said frame in any elevated position of the machine.

In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine oit the longwall type normally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom during cutting and including a pivoted hert cutter, a frame supporting said machine and on which the latter is pivotally mounted to rock about a longitudinal axis, adj ustable supporting means for said frame for varying the elevation and angle of said machine, and means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot relative to said frame in any adjusted position ot said machine.

86. In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine of the longwall type having cutting and feeding mechanism, said cutting mechanism including a pivoted kerf cutter, a frame supporting said machine and on which the latter is pivotally mounted to rock about a longitudinal axis, adjustable supporting means for said frame for bodily adjusting the same to vary the elevation of said machine, and means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot relative to said trame in any adjusted position of said machine.

37. In a mining machine, a machine frame, cutting mechanism carried thereby, adjustable front and rear supports for said machine :traine each including support wheels adapted to run along a mine trackway, said supports making an angle with each other when said frame is supported inhorizontal position upon a level traokway, and mechanism for adjusting said supports simultaneously in the same direction to eiilect move- Vment of said support wheels relative to each opposite directions to eect movement of said support wheels relative to each other to'vary Vthe elevation of said cutter carrying frame without tilting the latter and for adjusting said supports simultaneously in the same direction to tilt said cutter carrying frame about a transverse axis. Y

39. In a mining machine, va machine frame,

cutting mechanism carried thereby, adjustable front and rear supports for said machine trame each including support wheels adapted to run along a mine trackway, and mechanism 1for simultaneously adjusting said supports in opposite directions to elfect movement of said Support Wheels relative to each other to vary the elevation of said cutter carrying frame 5 Without tilting the latter and to move said supports simultaneously in the same direction to move said Wheels relative to each other to tilt said. eutter carrying frame about a transverse axis.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

